"At this critical juncture when the country is subject to threats and sanctions by the enemies of the revolution, conflict and argument will not resolve any problem, and we hope that all those in the system who have influence, from ordinary people to higher levels, pave the way for the conduct of a competitive and free election according to the law through accepting to negotiate, interaction, and understanding. And the potential of expert, efficient, and conscientious forces of the revolution from all persuasions should be utilized to find a way out of the country's problems and make progress," Ayatollah Rafsanjani said in reference to Iran's next presidential election, which is scheduled to be held on June 14.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Rafsanjani stated, "The spread of lies, slander, resort to hypocrisy, depriving people of their rights, empty promises, and undermining moral virtues undermine social ethics, and such measures should be seriously dealt with at the level of government."

Ayatollah Rafsanjani also emphasized the people's important role in determining the country's destiny, noting that eroding public confidence is a "great sin".

"In our constitution, the freedom of press, assembly, and parties, and individual and social freedoms have been clearly stipulated, and it is necessary that more attention be paid to the part regarding the people's rights in the constitution and their influential role," he added.